75 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF DECEMBER 3, 1932

Meeker County taxpayers will not realize until they read this what a narrow escape their courthouse had Thursday morning. But for prompt discovery they would soon be discussing a bond issue for the erection of a new structure. Miss Hannah Smith, deputy treasurer, while at work, smelled an odor of smoke and turning around saw a glow of fire in the south wall eight or ten feet from the floor. Smoke was pouring from the spot. Apparently, a nail driven into an electrical conduit caused insulation to wear away and hot wires came in contact with each other. Glenn H. Martz happened by the office and with an ax broke away enough of the metal lining to get at the blaze and quelled it.